Chu's breed (Kishu-inu) is recognized as a national living treasure as of 1934. Her connection with Buddhism is related to when Kobo Daishi was granted permission to build a temple site in nature away from Kyoto. He travelled to present day Wakayama-ken where he was protected from wild boar by the Kishu dog as he ascended to the mountain to establish what is now known as Koya-san See http://www.nihonsun.com/2009/06/09/kobo-daishi/